Makassar, June 08, 2024, The Europe Today: The Honorary Consulate of Croatia officially opened in Makassar on Friday, June 7, marking a significant milestone in the relations between Croatia and South Sulawesi. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Acting Governor of South Sulawesi, Zudan Arif Fakhrulloh, who highlighted the numerous opportunities for cooperation beyond tourism.
“We have plenty of opportunities for cooperation, including in investment and education,” Fakhrulloh stated in a press release from the South Sulawesi provincial government on Saturday. He emphasized that the establishment of the consulate represents a new era in bilateral relations, paving the way for collaborative ventures across various sectors.
Honorary Consul of Croatia in Makassar, Munafri Arifuddin, underscored the potential for partnership, noting that Croatia’s thriving tourism sector contributes over 70 percent of the nation’s income. Arifuddin pointed out the similarities between the geographical conditions and coastlines of Croatia and South Sulawesi, suggesting that South Sulawesi could benefit from Croatia’s successful tourism and hotel industry management practices.
“We are similar when it comes to sea and tourism,” Arifuddin remarked. He highlighted Croatia’s uniqueness, noting that despite a population of only about four million, the country welcomed around 20 million tourists last year. “This consulate is expected to bring benefits to South Sulawesi. We have many things to cooperate in, especially tourism, human resources, education, and trade,” he concluded.
Petar Mihatov, Director General of Political Affairs at the Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Ministry, praised the hospitality of the South Sulawesi government and people during the ceremony. He expressed confidence that the new consulate would set a precedent for other countries to establish their consulates in Makassar.
The inauguration was also attended by Croatian Ambassador to Indonesia, Nebojsa Koharovic, among other dignitaries. The opening of the Honorary Consulate of Croatia in Makassar is seen as a significant step in enhancing the bilateral relations between Croatia and South Sulawesi, with both sides looking forward to fruitful cooperation in various fields.
